Carcinoembryonic antigen. A possible predictor of recurrence in cystosarcoma phyllodes

Tissue carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cytosolic estrogen and progesterone receptors were studied in 15 patients with cystosarcoma phyllodes (CSP) aiming at predicting recurrence of the tumor. Polyclonal (rabbit, monospecific) and monoclonal (mouse) antibodies anti-CEA were applied to formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections using an indirect (PAP) immunoperoxidase method. Estrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptors were determined by a charcoal-dextran method. ER was detected in 4 of 15 primary CSP (mean level, 22 fmol/mg protein). CEA was demonstrated exclusively in the epithelial components of 12 of 15 tumors. Strong expression of CEA was verified in eight tumors, six of which recurred locally one or more times. None of the seven tumors negative or weakly reactive for CEA had recurrences. No correlation was found between expression of tissue CEA and steroid receptor status of the tumors. Our data indicate that strong CEA expression in CSP correlates with tumor recurrence.